Détails sur The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, podcast de Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna

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Ep. 314 | From The West Wing to The Diplomat: Debora Cahn's Masterclass in Storytelling

jeudi 29 octobre 2026 • Durée 01:03:45

This week on The Screenwriting Life, Meg LeFauve and Joe Forte sit down with Debora Cahn, creator and showrunner of Netflix's The Diplomat, for a fascinating, candid, and deeply insightful conversation about the craft of writing television.

With an extraordinary career that includes The West Wing, Homeland, Grey's Anatomy, and Fosse/Verdon, Cahn has spent decades mastering the art of sophisticated, character-driven storytelling. Now, she takes us behind the scenes of The Diplomat to reveal how the series came to life, how its most shocking twists were developed, and why the show's complicated relationships are just as essential as its international political crises.

Cahn breaks down the origins of The Diplomat, including the influence of Shonda Rhimes, the lessons she learned working with some of television's greatest writers, and the challenges of building a serialized drama for the streaming era. She explores how to balance explosive political stakes with intimate emotional conflict, why characters should never be just one thing, and how personal experiences can become the foundation for unforgettable television.

The conversation also dives into the realities of running a writers' room, collaborating with other writers, managing creative disagreements, and building a show where every department has a meaningful artistic voice.

Cahn shares her approach to writing morally complicated characters, the importance of communication failures in human relationships, and how the shifting political landscape has influenced the stories The Diplomat tells.

And in a refreshingly candid discussion, she reveals why writing can feel like dental work, how even the most accomplished writers struggle with the process, and what she's learned about leadership, confidence, and trusting the people around her.

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alex Alcheh.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ep. 313 | From Pitch to Netflix: How Felicia Pride Reimagined A Different World

jeudi 22 octobre 2026 • Durée 49:10

What does it take to bring one of television’s most beloved shows back to life while making it resonate with an entirely new generation?

This week on The Screenwriting Life, Lorien McKenna sits down with acclaimed writer, director, producer, and author Felicia Pride, the creative force behind Netflix’s Sequel of A Different World.

Felicia takes us inside the creative process of reimagining an iconic series, from developing the original pitch and selling it to Netflix to tackling the enormous challenge of writing a pilot that honors the past while establishing something entirely new. She shares her approach to outlining, finding a show's tone, developing compelling characters, and navigating the complicated world of studio notes.

But this conversation goes far beyond one television show.

Felicia opens up about finding her voice as a writer, breaking into television later in life, the mentors who helped shape her career, and the importance of creating opportunities for other storytellers. She also discusses her production company, Honey Chile, her passion for telling stories centered on Black women, and the creative philosophy behind her writing workbook.

Along the way, Lorien, and Felicia explore the emotional realities of being a working writer: trusting your instincts, surviving the uncertainty of Hollywood, finding joy in the process, and having the courage to tell the stories only you can tell.

Whether you're developing your first pilot, navigating studio notes, or trying to reconnect with your creative voice, this episode is packed with practical insights, hard-earned wisdom, and inspiration for building a sustainable life as a storyteller.

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Ep. 312 | Your LAVA Is Not Your PLOT

jeudi 8 octobre 2026 • Durée 45:23

You know what your story is about. You know why it matters to you. You might even have a deeply personal, emotionally powerful idea at its center. But here's the question: Do you actually have a plot?

This week on The Screenwriting Life, Meg LeFauve, Lorien McKenna, and Joe Forte dig into one of the most essential distinctions in storytelling: the difference between your lava, the emotional truth burning underneath your story, and your plot, the choices, actions, and obstacles that bring that truth to life.

Too often, writers mistake one for the other. They know what they want to say, but struggle to figure out what actually happens. Or they build an elaborate series of events without understanding the emotional engine driving them. Either way, the result can be the same: a story that feels stuck, repetitive, or disconnected from what made you want to write it in the first place.

Through personal writing experiences, practical examples, and an exploration of how stories develop, Meg, Lorien, and Joe unpack why lava and plot are equally essential, but fundamentally different.

They discuss how to identify the emotional core of your story without getting trapped inside it, why your protagonist's choices are crucial to generating plot, how to create an engine that keeps a story moving, and why sometimes the hardest part of writing is letting go of the version of the story you originally imagined.

The conversation also explores the differences between building stories for features and television, finding momentum when a project isn't working, and learning to recognize when you're exploring something emotionally meaningful versus actually moving your narrative forward.

Because your lava might be the reason you need to tell the story. But your plot is what allows an audience to experience it.

Whether you're struggling with an outline, lost in Act Two, or trying to figure out why a deeply personal project isn't coming together, this episode will help you reconnect with the heart of your story and figure out what needs to happen next.

Ep. 311 | The Quintessential PITCHING Crash Course w/ Jessica Sharzer

jeudi 24 septembre 2026 • Durée 01:33:32

Jessica Sharzer joins Meg and Lorien to give an in depth look into pitching. Not only does she get incredibly specific. Her generosity with her time and her ability to convey so succinctly and with such clarity throughout the episode is what makes her one of the best at pitching in the business.

Everything from loglines to decks to television vs. film and even answering your questions. This episode is one to replay again and again.

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alex Alcheh.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ep. 310 | Bringing Your Phyiscal Life To Your Writing w/ Coach Khatchig Chouljian

jeudi 10 septembre 2026 • Durée 49:09

Today Joe Forte is join by fitness coach, Khatchig Chouljia for a very different way of attacking the writing process.

Coach Khatcho is s the founder and head coach of MindBodyFit, a private fitness and health coaching studio based in Glendale, California.

With his understanding of cognitive science, he brings a less is more approach to fitness. Joe and he dive into the 70 percent approach, and they dive into how Coach Khatcho's approach to fitness really is so similar to the writing process and all tips can easily apply to the page.

He also of course gives some great, quick and easy exercises to refresh after sitting at the desk for a while. Inspiring and important for your writing and your health.

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alex Alcheh.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP. 309 | The Deepest Dive Into STRUCTURE w/ John Yorke

jeudi 27 août 2026 • Durée 01:05:02

Meg LeFauve is joined by fellow story junkie and world-leading expert in narrative and a winner of multiple awards, including BAFTAs and a Golden Globe, John Yorke. John's first book, Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them

His newest release and follow up - Trip To The Moon: Understanding The True Power of Story shifts the focus from how fictional screenplays work to how storytelling shapes the real world.

This episode covers a wide range of topics from structure to theory and more.

Story Structure and Why Stories WorkThe Midpoint as the Moment a Character Encounters the “Lesson”The Midpoint → Crisis → Climax ProgressionStorytelling as a Version of the Scientific MethodConflict and Why Writers Avoid Hurting Their CharactersCharacters, Belief Systems, and Psychological ChangeMirroring and Character OppositesTrip to the Moon and Storytelling Beyond ScreenwritingWhat are your fears for AI/Is there a use?What Makes a Great Climactic ActionCreating Emotion in the AudienceMovies vs. Television and Cliffhangers

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Ep. 308 | WRITING EXERCISE: Go DEEPER With Your Characters

jeudi 13 août 2026 • Durée 49:13

Lorien McKenna is joined by TSL producer Alex Alcheh for a really exciting exercise.

Get out your pen and paper, make 4 quadrants and follow along.

Lorien asks specific questions about YOUR LIFE to unlock the depth a character should have. They discuss character introductions and how most have such little specificity.

Lorien highlights the import to ask questions of your own life so you can ask those questions about your characters.

And, she gives one additional exercise within the exercise - The Trader Joe's Test.

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alex Alcheh.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ep. 307 | Inside THE PITT'S Writers Room w/ Simran Baidwan

jeudi 30 juillet 2026 • Durée 55:52

Meg LeFauve is joined by Simran Baidwan, former power house lawyer turned brilliant writer and executive producer of HBO's hit show, THE PITT. Simran's thorough and eloquent advice for emerging writers mixed with her raw and real honesty about why The Pitt's writers room is so special is such a gift. Simran speaks on how they build a season for The Pitt. What happens when an idea shifts the plot lines for the season, and how she attempts to see it as a writing opportunity rather than an "OH S*IT" moment. And so much more!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ep. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers

jeudi 16 juillet 2026 • Durée 01:06:30

Betsy Beers is a stallwart producer of film and television having been the creative partner of Shonda Rhimes at Shondaland since its inception, shepherding every project the company has ever produced from Grey's Anatomy to Bridgerton.

Lorien, Meg and Betsy dive deep into what it really means to produce at a high level and even more importantly Betsy's specific style of producing which in her words means - doing whatever is needed to make the thing go and to make the writer feel most comfortable to do their best work.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ep. 305 | Overcoming The Dreaded ACT TWO

jeudi 2 juillet 2026 • Durée 01:06:26

Act two is every emerging AND professional writers white whale. It is consistently the most challenging part of writing a screenplay and yet the most critical.

Lorien and Meg dive deep into how to approach Act Two, offering a piece by piece breakdown and expectation of what should occur in Act Two. Providing clear examples from some of the best films.

They also answer YOUR specific questions as well.

Looking for more support on your writing journey? Join Meg and Lorien inside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TSL Workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

The Screenwriting Life is produced and edited by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alex Alcheh.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lire plusRéduire

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